With the steady and easy access to the internet, sexual harassment cases through revenge porn have been on a rise. Online stalking, distributing nude pictures, blackmailing via intimate pictures and taking secret pictures without the consent of the person are all set to be made criminal offences in Ireland. Three years after calls for government action, new legislation will make revenge porn and upskirting illegal in Ireland. The person committing the crime can face a jail term of a year and a fine will also be imposed. Taking Upskirt Videos & Photos Is Now a Criminal Offence in UK; Here’s What You Should Know About the New Law.

The loopholes in the Irish legislation will be covered with the new amendment bill. Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has received approval to draft the Non-Fatal Offences (Amendment) Bill. According to this law, posting intimate pictures of a person online without their consent will be a criminal offence. The Cabinet will sign off on the plans at a special meeting in Cork City today. The recommended punishment for the offence of revenge porn is a maximum fine of €5000 and/or 12 months imprisonment. It is not yet clear whether the government will follow these recommendations or will it be decided upon the case. Revenge Porn: Boyfriend Sends Their Sex Videos To His Ex-Girlfriend's Father When He Learnt of Her Marriage.

Along with the revenge porn, the bill also makes sending indecent messages on social media as an offence. The changes will also list 'upskirting' as a separate offence to be dealt with. Labour leader Brendan Howlin, who sponsored this Bill said that Ireland is much behind the times to deal with the cases of revenge porn. The new bill proposes new offences like:

  • Non-consensual distribution of intimate images with intent to cause harm or distress (more commonly known as revenge pornography)

  • The taking and distribution of intimate images without consent, whether or not there is intent to cause harm or distress

The online harassment offence includes all forms of communication about another person. The existing laws will be modernised to cover modern technology and social media. An offence of stalking will be provided under the new legislation. The proposals if accepted by the Cabinet will be drafted on government amendments to the Bill on a priority basis.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 01, 2019 03:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).